February 27 – “How old is old?”

I went to a breakfast yesterday with a whole roomful of Galveston Police Department officers.  There were street cops and detectives and captains and even the acting fire chief was there.  And he had invited the fire chief, so he was there as well.  It was an effort to connect the community clergy with the police department to build positive relationships.  Can’t beat doing some connecting over a plate of scrambled eggs and sausage and bacon.  I found out that the department has a program of volunteer chaplains they have instituted.  There are six total chaplains, as I understand it.  Three plainclothes and three uniformed (or in the words of the chaplain that was speaking, “vested.”  That’s when he tapped the bullet proof vest he was wearing).  They can do full ride-alongs with officers on shift and handle any emergency calls that officers need to make to minister to citizens as well as the officers.  Good to know.  I have had several people ask me since I have been fire department chaplain if police chaplains exist in Galveston. 

When I got home I found four extra bodies running around.  And by the time we ordered pizza for supper, there was a fifth.  Five grandkids spending the night last night.  Oh, and we FaceTimed the other three.  Gotta get that fix any way we can.  So back to the pizza.  Josiah agreed to go with me to pick it up, and on the way we had an interesting discussion about the ways of the world and theology.  Listen in …

Josiah: “It’s my Daddy’s birthday.”

Me: “How old is he?”

Josiah: “Thirty-nine.”

Me: “Wow.  That’s really old.”

Josiah: “No, it’s not old.”

Me: “It’s not?” (Somewhat skeptically)

Josiah: “No, because if he was a woman he could still have a baby.”

Me: “Ah.  So how old is old?”

Josiah: “About a trillion.  That’s how old God is.”

And there you have it.  The secrets of aging and the age of God from the mouth of a five-year-old. 

Jude 20 says, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”

Father, thank you for being eternal and for offering us a taste of that eternity as well.  Amen.